I Archibald Roberts of the district of Grant, County of Grant and state of West Va. being aware of the uncertainty of life, and in failing health, but of sound mind and necessary do make and declare this to be my last will and testament, in so manner to wit:
First: I give devise and bequeath unto my wife Annie M. Roberts all my lands, consisting of several tracts during her lifetime.
Second: I give, devise and bequeath unto Lewis, my oldest son, and my daughter Dorcas M. Roberts, the home tract of land, consisting of about 287 acres but not to gave possession till after their mother’s death.
Third: I give, devise and bequeath unto James E. Roberts and Isaac Walter Roberts, my sons, all the other tracts of land after their mother’s death.
Fourth is missing:
Fifth: I give, devise and bequeath unto my son Lewis and daughter, Dorcas M., children before mentioned, the land bought of Aaron Baker, lying above Knobley road, for the purpose of getting to water, being a part of the Michael Likin’s tract.
Sixth: I give devise and bequeath unto my three daughters, Emma, Mary E. and Duracy Roberts one Hundred Dollars each without interest to be paid by my children, Lewis, Dorcas M. James E. and Walter Roberts in proportion to the assessed value of the lands I give them to be paid after my wife’s death.
Seventh: In case either of the children whom I have will my land to should want to sell they shall sell to one or any part of the four above mentioned children, but if one or more than one of them, as may see cause to fix it, is or are not able to buy and pay for his, her or their land, then he, she or they may sell to some one else.
Eight: It being forgotten that the residence buildings are on a tract of on acre, separate and part and not a part of the tract, I give to Lewis and Dorcas M. Roberts. I herewith give, devise and bequeath tract of land on which the residence buildings stand and that my two sons, James E. and Walter Roberts shall not have it as I provided.
Ninth: In case Lewis and Dorcas M. Roberts should ever want to divide their lands, my daughter Dorcas M. Roberts shall have in her part of land the land or tract of land consisting of one acre on which stands the residence buildings, and that if in dividing either of the two should not run to Knobley road, the one not of running to the road shall have a gate way to said road.
Tenth: also, my sons James E. and Walter Roberts shall have access to Knobley road by gateway.
Eleventh: I give, devise and bequeath unto my son, Lewis Roberts Three Hundred Dollars to be paid to him, without interest when my debts are paid.
Twelfth: I further direct that all my debts and necessary funeral expenses be paid and that in paying my debts then shall be no public sale of properties but shall pay off the debts as fast as they can in the business transactions, but in case any of my creditors will not wait till hence my wife, assisted by her children, can make the money to pay the debt or debts, I nominate and appoint D. W. George to make sale, without giving any bond, of such property the family thinks they can best do without to pay such as will not wait longer.
Thirteenth: I further nominate and appoint D. W. George as my executor to settle my business without bond, and that he further shall make a sale any time to pay my debt, selling such properties as Annie, my wife, can best do without.
Fourteenth: I further give, devise and bequeath unto Lewis and Dorcas M. Roberts, my children, all my personal property, after the death of Annie, my wife.
In Witness whereof, I Archibald Roberts, to this my last will and testament have hereunto set my hand and seal this 13th day of October 1892.
Archibald Roberts seal
Signed, sealed and declared by Archibald Roberts as and for the last will and testament in the presence of us, who at his request and in his presence and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names hereunto as witnesses thereof.
Witnesses
I. S. Harris
Taylor E. Harris
Grant County Court January 10, 1893
This day the last will and testament of Archibald Roberts deceased was proved according to law by the oats of I. S. Harris and Taylor E. Harris, witnesses thereto, and in ordered to be recorded.
D. P. Hendrickson, c